Earning the Shawl

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kira stretched after a long day of studying the one hundred weaves for her test to become Aes Sedai.  Kira was sure that she would soon be tested for the shawl.  She just didn't know for sure when.  Kira stood up and checked her Accepted dress, making sure that it was free of wrinkles and stains before entering the hall.  Kira was heading to the library to find a book to read during some free time when she was met by Valeri who was wearing her shawl.  Kira curtsied as Valeri spoke.

 

"Kira Tuvunenia, you are summoned to be tested for the Shawl of an Aes Sedai. The Light keep you whole and see you safe."

 

Kira's mouth almost dropped open before common sense told her not to.  Kira followed Valeri deep into the Tower depths underground.  Kira remained silent, knowing that she was not to speak until she was spoken to.  Eventually they arrived at a pair of large doors.  Kira almost gasped as Valeri embraced the Power and channeled the door open.

 

In the room was a large oval shaped ring, standing on it's edge.  The ring continually changed colors.  Kira kept silent, her eyes fixed on the ter'angreal.  Kira suddenly felt doubtful of her ability, but knowing that there were Aes Sedai that felt she was ready kept her focused.

 

"I will be Aes Sedai!" Kira thought.

 

"Attend!" Valeri stated and several Aes Sedai, one from each Ajah came out wearing their shawls and surrounding the Mistress of Novices and Kira.

 

Kira remained calm as Valeri continued, "You come in ignorance, Kira Tuvunenia. How would you depart."

 

Kira knew the litany by heart. "In knowledge of myself."

 

"For what reason have you been summoned here."

 

"To be tried."

 

"For what reason should you be tried."

 

"So that I may learn whether I am worthy."

 

"For what would you be found worthy."

 

"To wear the Shawl."

 

At those words, Kira began to remove her clothing and was suddenly aware of the chill in the underground chamber.  By sheer will, she kept herself from shivering as Valeri continued.

 

"Therefore I will instruct you." Valeri said drawing a six-pointed star in the air with the power. "You will see this sign upon the ground."

 

Kira felt a woman behind her embrace the source and felt a weave begin to settle over her.  Kira almost jumped, but kept her calm.

 

"Remember what must be remembered." the sister said.

 

“When the weave is complete, you will see that sign again, marking the way you must go, again at a steady pace, without hesitation.” Valeri said.

 

"Remember what must be remembered."

 

“One hundred times will you weave, in the order you have been given and in perfect composure.”

 

"Remember what must be remembered."

 

Kira put all of her stuff into a pile, setting her Great Serpent ring on top as the weave settled onto her.  The ring ter'angreal began to spin, glowing white and seemed to absorb all of the light in the room.  Kira walked forward calmly and entered the ter'angreal.

 

Kira was at a farmhouse.  She wasn't sure how she got there or why she was there, but she knew she had to remain calm.  A breeze went by and suddenly Kira felt cold.  She looked down and saw that she was naked.  In front of her, on a log, she saw some clothes.  Kira was sure they had not been there before, but put them on.  She continued walking and saw a man and three young boys chopping some firewood.  They looked up as Kira approached and she saw the man's face turn red and the boys covered snickers.  Kira looked down, seeing that her dress had disappeared and she was once again naked.

 

At that moment, a six pointed star appeared on the ground and Kira knew she had to go there.  She walked over to the star, feeling the gaze of the man and boys behind her.  One of the boys started laughing, unable to contain himself as Kira arrived at the star.  Kira channeled air creating the silver-blue disc that fell into her hand.  Another start appeared and Kira moved towards it.

 

Kira found herself somewhere else.  She felt she had to remain calm and was aware that she was naked.  Once again she found some clothing and dressed, moving forward.  Kira then heard a growling coming from behind her.  She turned and saw a creature behind her.  The creature had the head of a wolf, an eagle's beak, and hooves on its feet - a trolloc!  Kira kept calm and stepped backwards, suddenly aware of a six pointed star to her left.  She moved toward the star, keeping her eye on the trolloc. She was aware of several more trollocs coming in and heading toward her.  She entered the star and began to channel air, fire, and earth.  This weave used all of the elements and as she began to channel, the trollocs began to run towards her, brandishing axes, swords, and maces.  Kira focused on her channeling and then began to channel fireballs that she flung at the trollocs.  She knew she had to do the one weave, but could use other weaves as well.  She kept going, finishing the weave and seeing the next star show up in front of her.  She walked toward it, avoiding trollocs on the way.  A couple of trollocs clawed at her, drawing blood as Kira got to the next star.

 

Kira was in the woods.  She was naked and felt blood coming from the wounds.  A set of men's clothes sat on the ground in front of her.  It was better than nothing, so she dressed.  She heard different sounds in the woods as a creature came out of the words.  It looked almost like a frog, but Kira didn't recognize it.  It ran towards her, and hit her hard.  Kira landed on the ground and felt a sharp pain in her ankle.  Kira saw a star form on the ground a few feet away, so she stood up and limped towards it.  Upon arriving, the froglike creature turned to come back towards her.  Kira began weaving, ever conscious of the creature making it's way towards her.  Kira felt the intricate weave come together.  The creature continued barreling towards her as Kira saw the the star appear behind it.  Kira moved towards the creature, continuing to limp.  As the creature got close, Kira dropped to the ground and rolled underneath the creature as it jumped towards her.  Kira stood, wincing a little as she did and hobbled to the star.

 

Kira had finished ninety-nine of the weaves, arriving in a room.  Kira was naked, but didn't realize it until she heard someone say "Kira! You should be dressed!"

 

Kira turned and saw her mother, lines of worry on her face.  She gasped as Kira turned, seeing the scratches and cuts all over her body.  Kira saw some clothes lying on a bed and put them on.

 

"Are you back now Kira? Are you going to leave me again." Kira's mother said, as a six pointed star appeared on the floor.

 

Kira wanted to stay.  She wanted to help her mother and Light help her, she was tired and hurt and the bed looked so comfortable.  Just a short nap would be alright, but Kira knew she had to head toward the star.  Kira walked toward it, not acknowledging her mother.  Inside she felt terrible, but on the outside kept calm.  Upon arriving, Kira began to channel, her mother at her back.  The sparks shot up and Kira saw the next star appear in the mirror in front of her.  She would have to face and walk past her mother to get there.

 

Kira turned, her mother trying to stop her.  Kira pushed her mother to the ground and said "Mother, you have to move on...without...me."

 

Kira didn't look at her mother's face, knowing that in doing so, she would stop.  Kira walked through the star and arrived back into the room with the ter'angreal.

 

All the memories of what had happened came back to her in an instant.  It was overwhelming, but Kira kept calm.  She hadn't practiced Aes Sedai calm for twenty years and knew how to maintain it.

 

Valeri stepped forward and clapped her hands, "It is done. Let no one ever speak of what has passed here. It is for us to share in silence with she who experienced it. It is done.”

 

Valeri clapped her hands again and continued, "Kira Tuvunenia, you will spend tonight in prayer and contemplation of the burdens you will take up on the morrow, when you don the shawl of an Aes Sedai. It is done.”

 

Valeri clapped a third time and then headed toward the door of the chamber.  The sisters around her came towards her offering their condolences for the pain and injuries.  A yellow sister offered healing which Kira gladly excepted.  Kira dressed and two sisters - one blue and one green escorted her to her room.

 

Kira could smell the food even before her door opened.  Kira thanked the sisters and shut her door behind her before tearing into the food.  She was absolutely famished.  Kira kept quiet and contemplated for awhile.  She had come a long way and the fruits of her labors had finally come to pass.  Kira allowed herself some sleep.  She knew oftentimes, Accepted would do their final prank before becoming Aes Sedai, and Kira smiled at that, but pranks were just not for her.

[WolfbrotherKronos]

Kira had trouble sleeping, but had gotten in a few hours.  She awoke before the sun and got dressed, making sure to look her best.  Kira had passed the test.  She was in her last few moments of being Accepted.  Kira brushed her hair and moved to get a drink of water when a knock came on the door.  Seven women were at her door.  One Aes Sedai from each Ajah.  Kira followed them as they turned to lead her to take her oaths.

 

As she had the day before, Kira remained silent.  They arrived at the doors and the Keeper of the Chronicles and the Amyrlin Seat stood before her.

 

The Amyrlin spoke, "Who comes here?"

 

"Kira Tuvunenia." Kira said without hesitation.

 

“For what reason do you come.”

“To swear the three oaths and thereby claim the shawl of an Aes Sedai.”

“By what right do you claim this burden?”

“By right of having made the passage, submitting myself to the will of the White Tower.”

“Then enter, if you dare, and bind yourself to the White Tower.”

 

Kira entered the room and saw the ter'angreal.  The Amyrlin and the Keeper stood in front of it, the latter holding a velvet pillow with the Oath Rod on it.  Kira moved forward and in the corner of her eye saw Alia Maradoon with the blues.  She almost broke out in a smile.  Kira stepped through the ter'angreal and the Amyrlin held out the Oath Rod.

 

Kira took hold of the rod and proudly took the Oaths,

 

“Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will speak no word that is not true.”
“Under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will make no weapon for one man to kill another.”
“under the light and by my hope of salvation and rebirth, I vow that I will never use the One Power as a weapon except against shadowspawn, or in the last extreme of defending my life, or that of my warder, or another sister.”

 

Kira felt a tightness as the weave settled into her.  She would be bound to those oaths for the rest of her life.  Along with the tightness came a sense of pride and satisfaction.  Kira had done it.  She was Aes Sedai.

 

"It is half done, and the White Tower graven on your bones. Rise now Aes sedai and choose your Ajah and all will be done that may be done under the Light.” the Amyrlin continued, taking the Oath Rod back and placing it on the pillow.

 

Kira turned to face the members of the Blue Ajah.  Everyone exited besides the Blue Sisters as they drapped a shawl over her shoulders.

 

"Welcome home, Sister," many of them greeted her.

 

The sixth one gave her a kiss and said, "Welcome home sister.  You owe me a pie."